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These
well-equipped rest houses cater to the needs of pilgrims and make the stay
enjoyable. Going further, we halt at Manikanteswaralayam. It is an ancient
temple housing the much venerated Manikanteswarar's icon in standing posture. It
is nearly ten-feet in height and made artistically. Paying homage, we proceed to
the Cave temple, called Ranga Mandap, where the rear wall of the cave is
superbly adorned with the carvings of Sivalilas. By striking features and
expressive gestures, these excellent carvings of the master sculptor enthrall
us. On account of painting them with bright colours, their charm detains us
longer. Really they transport us to ethereal worlds. Coming down, as it were, we
climb up to the top of the cave to avail the darsan of Panchamukheswar - a
superb workmanship of a master sculptor meriting indispensable adoration. It is
installed in a small mandap. The environs and adornments are not matching the
archamurthi's supreme standing. After prayers, we make a retreat other worth -
seeing mandirs, built atop hillocks, besides thirthas around, and in the
Swarnamukhi Nadigarbha itself.
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